Incubator



Sept. 20, 1932. I MARTlN 1,878,503

INCUBATOR Filed Dec. 12, 1930 2 ShSStS-Sht 1 1. L. MARTIN 1,878,503

INCUBATOR Filed Dec. 12, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 20, 1932.-

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Patented Sept. 20, 1932 PATENT OFFICE IRVIN L. MARTIN, OF DENVER, COLORADO INCUBATOR 7 Application filed December 12, 1930. Serial No. 501,811.

This invention relates to an incubator and more particularly to the type of incubator illustrated in co-pending application Serial No. 467 ,217. i The principal object of this 15' invention is to provide a circulating system for an incubator of this type whereby all of the eggs will be uniformly aerated by means of a stream of air of theproper temperature and humidity.

Another object of the invention is to pr'o-.

vide means for cooling the air in the circulating system so as to adapt the incubator for use in warm climates.

Other objects and advantages reside in the, detail construction of the invention which is designed for simplicity, economy, and

efficiency. These will become more apparent from the following description. Inthe following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the-drawings and throughout the description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation partly in section of an incubator of the type illustrated in co-pending application Serial No. 467,217 showing the humidifying, cooling and heat ing means employed.

Fig. 2 is a cross section therethrough. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail view illustrating one of the distributing pipes and the method of supporting the tray frames thereon.

Fig. 5 is a cross section through the distributing pipetaken on the line 5-5, Fig. 4.

The construction and operation of the incubator proper is illustrated and described more in detail in the said co-pending appli cation and will be only outlined herein.

An incubator of this type comprises a housing 10 suitably insulated by means of air spaces or other insulation. Within the housing 10, vertical series of egg trays 11 are carried in tray frames 12 which are pivoted across theirmiddles so that they maybe rocked or tilted. All of the tray frames 12 50 in each series are secured together by means of connecting bars 13 so that they must rock or tilt in unison. Each series of tray frames is connected by means of a flexible cable 14 to an alternately-turning, longitudinal shaft 15 which extends throughout the incubator housing 10. The shaft 15 terminates in a suitable speed mechanism 16 driven by means of a reversible electric motor 17. A reversing chain 18 is trained over a sprocket upon the shaft 15 and an idler sprocket 19. This chain carries a ball 20 which enga es at the extremities of its travel with yo (es 21 upon a switch shifting bar 22. The shifting bar 22 operates a reversing switch 23 connected in the circuit of the motor 17. As thus far described the construction is similar to the incubator shown in said co-pending application Serial No. 467,217.

The principal feature of this invention is the application of a circulation system to the above incubator. This is accomplished by supporting the tray frames 12 upon hollow distributing pipes or tubes 24, the opposite sides of which are provided with a series of orifices 25. The pipes 24 extend between hollow vertical standards 26 which communicate with an air chamber 27 .in the floor of the housing 10. The pipes 24 may be supported by the standards 26 in any desired manner but are preferably supported so that they will rotate with the tray frames. This can be accomplished by allowing the extremities of the pipes 24 to rotate within the sleeves 28 which are threaded upon nipples 29 extending from and communicating with the interior of the standards 26.

The air is removed from the interior of the housing 10 through a discharge pipe 30 provided with suitable intake openings 31. The discharge pipe 30 extends beyond one extremity of the housing 10 and terminates in a substantially horizontal humidifying passage 32. Within the passage 32 is a humidifier 33 provided with a propeller type fan 49. The fan 49 causes a constant volume of air to circulate from the discharge pipe 30 through the humidifying chamber 32 and into a heating chamber 34 from which the air passes through an opening 35 into the air ers known as s ace heaters have been found very desirab e for this purpose. Within the humidifying chamber 32 a series of cooling coils 37 are. placed. The cooling coils 37 and the humidifier 33 are supplied with water from a reservoir 38 through the medium of feed pipes 39 and 40, respectively. The feed pipes are controlled by suitable valves 41. The reservoir is fed with water from a supply pipe 42 the flow of which is controlled by means of a float valve 43. The drainage water from the cooling coils 37 and the humidifier 33 can be conducted to any desired drain.

If desired a grating 44 may be provided in the reservoir for the support of ice cakes 45. This is especially desirable in very warm climates for cooling the supply water.

It will be noted that a slight air pressure is constantly maintained in the chamber 27 which acts to force jets of air from the orifices 25 beneath each of the egg trays 11. Since these trays are constantly changing their position it is necessary to have the distributing pipes 24 rock or rotate with them in order to prevent the air jets from being projected directly against the adjacent eggs. This may be accomplished in any desired manner, such as by forming opposite notches 46 in the distributing pipes 24 and by providing the tray frames 12 with supporting ears 47 which will engage the notches 46 so that as the frames tilt the pipes 24 will also tilt.

- The operation of the humidifier 33 is controlled by means of a regulator 48 positioned on the interior of the housing 10, so as to maintain the air therein at any desired relative humidity. Should the temperature within the housing 10 fall below the desired point the heaters 36 will operate to heat the incoming air stream. Should the temperature within the housing increase above a desired point the cooling coils 37 will act to cool the incoming air stream. The heating elements 36 and the cooling coils 37 may be connected through any of the usual thermostatic controls. Fresh air can be admitted in the desired proportions by means of an adjustable plate valve 50 placed in the conduit 30 so, as to be on the suction side of the fan. To accommodate this fresh air stale air can be allowed to discharge through suitable valves 51 adjacent the top of the cabinet.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described and. illustrated herein, it -is desired to beunderstood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, whatis claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is 1. In an incubator comprising: a cabinet with vertical supports arranged therein to support vertical series of egg trays, means for withdrawing air from said cabinet and returning same to said cabinet; an air chamber adapted to receive said air adjacent the lower part of said cabinet, said air chamber opening. to the interior of saidsupports; means for distributing the air from said supports, said means comprising a series of perforated pipes extending from and communicating with the interior of said supports, said perforated pipes acting as supports for said egg trays.

2. An incubator comprising: a cabinet; hollow vertical supports positioned within said cabinet; perforated pipes extending from said supports and communicatin with the hollow interiors thereof; tray ames adapted to rock upon said pipes and support egg trays; means for tilting said tray frames upon said pipes; an air chamber in the floor ,of said cabinet communicating with the hollow interior of said supports; and means for forcing air into sald air chamber so that it will be distributed by the perforations in said pipes.

3. An incubator comprising: a cabinet; hollow vertical supports positioned within said cabinet; perforated pipes extending from said supports and communicating with the hollow interiors thereof; tray frames adapted to rock upon said pipes and support egg trays; means for tilting said tray frames upon said pipes; an air chamber in the floor of said cabinet communicating with the hollow interior of said supports; and means for forcing air into said air chamber so that it will be distributed by the perforations in said pipes, said pipes being rotatably mounted so that they will alternately rotate as said tray frames tilt; and means for causing said pipes to be moved by the movement of said tray frames.

4. An incubator comprising: a cabinet; hollow vertical supports positioned within said cabinet; perforated pipes extending from said supports and communicatin with the hollow interiors thereof; tray rames adapted to rock upon said ipes and support egg trays; means for tllting said tray frames upon said pipes; an air chamber in the floor of said cabinet communicating with the hollow interior ofsaid supports; and means for forcing air into said air chamber so that it will be distributed by the perfora-' tions in said pipes, said pipes being rotatably mounted so that they will alternately rotate ing said pipes to be moved by the movement of said tray frames, said'means comprising engaging members extending from said tray frames and adapted to fixedly engage said pipes.

5. In an incubator havin egg trays,meai1s for projecting air substantlally parallel with said egg trays comprising: perforated tubes arranged adjacent to and parallel with said egg trays and substantially along their medial lines, said tubes provided with orifices for directing said air oppositely outward.

parallel with said egg trays. 6. In an incubator having tilting egg trays, means for projecting air substantially parallel with said egg trays comprising:

perforated tubes arranged adjacent to and parallel with said egg trays and provided with orifices fordirecting said air parallel with said egg trays; and means for tilting said tubes in synchronisrn with the tilting of I said egg trays.

In testimony whereof;I aflix my signature.

IRVIN L. MARTIN. 

